Aeon, a leading Japanese retailer, plans to hire 4,000 skilled foreign workers by fiscal 2030 to address severe labor shortages in Japan’s food service sector. Currently employing around 1,500 foreign workers under Japan’s Specified Skilled Worker program, Aeon intends to significantly expand its foreign workforce to bolster its operations.
The Specified Skilled Worker program, launched in 2019, targets industries facing labor shortages by allowing the employment of foreign workers with specialized skills. Aeon’s current foreign workforce primarily operates in food-processing plants supplying its supermarkets. Aeon Delight, a facilities management unit, has also begun hiring under this program, with 16 workers from Indonesia handling cleaning services in Aeon stores, hotels, and hospitals.
Japan’s government is expanding the program to include more job categories, such as on-site food preparation at supermarkets. In response, Aeon plans to enhance its staffing across its 2,700 supermarkets in Japan. The company will also provide support to foreign workers through shared housing, recreational activities, and regular check-ins to ensure their well-being.
The initiative reflects broader industry trends as companies like Seven & i Holdings and Hiday Hidaka also increase their hiring of foreign workers. As wages in countries like Vietnam, Thailand, and Indonesia rise, Japanese companies must invest in benefits and support measures to attract and retain foreign talent.
